STARZ's 'Counterpart' has revealed to us a series of characters who exist not in a single form but in two versions and the continuous conflict between the two versions is the secret subplot which forms the backbone for the show. The one character in the Justin Marks-created show whose struggle to overcome both versions and become one person is most prominent is Baldwin. Played by Sara Serraiocco, Baldwin is an assassin hired by Indigo to kill named targets as part of a plan by a hard-line faction within the Office of Interchange to replace Alpha personnel with their Prime counterparts.

However, when Baldwin enters into the Alpha world she comes in contact with her counterpart, Nadia, a renowned violinist who self-harms in order to compensate the guilt over her father's death. Her life takes a very different turn when she re-discovers her purpose.

Serraiocco, in an exclusive mailer with MEAWW, said that Baldwin might be an excellent assassin who is really good at her job, but she certainly does not know what she wants. Talking about Baldwin's interaction with Nadia, she said, "Baldwin hates her because Nadia has a real job, a beautiful apartment, all the things that Baldwin never had in her own life; but when they finally meet each other they realize they share the same painful feelings about their past."

Baldwin realized that her counterpart, Nadia, had everything she ever wanted. (STARZ)

Both Baldwin and Nadia had watched their father die on the rail tracks, and probably because of the alcoholic abusive man that he was, as a child neither of the two versions attempted to help their father. This creates a divide in their life significantly, as Nadia chooses to harm herself in order to compensate for the guilt, while Baldwin takes a long road to redemption where she herself begins to kill people. However, unlike Nadia who is more or less in a more stable situation than Baldwin, the pitiful assassin soon realizes that being a murderer was more of a compulsion than a wishful choice.

Baldwin discovers a new purpose when she sets foot in the Alpha world. (STARZ)

Baldwin finds refuge in Howard Silk Prime, played by J.K. Simmons, and Serraiocco claims that it is because of their similar past. She said, "There’s a connection between Baldwin and Howard during the first season. Baldwin finds in Howard a good person who is trying to escape from the pain, just like her. During the second season, she will have the opportunity to know more about Howard Prime’s life." However, the second season started off on quite an off-note as Baldwin killed off almost every single associate of Howard Prime, who had in a way tried to help her escape from imprisonment.

Although she seeks refuge in Howard, she does betray his trust in the end. (STARZ)

The two have shared a strange relationship since the beginning of the show, and in the second season, Howard Prime almost assumes the role of a mentor for Baldwin. However, even after the fifth episode, we do not know where Baldwin left after killing his men, and if she will return at all.

At this point, Serraiocco subtly teases that there might be a love interest for Baldwin around the corner in Season 2. However, the actress as of now is more concentrated in developing Baldwin as a character who is more than just a murderer. "I love her strength and determination but I tried to give her real emotions and vulnerability. She is really good at her job but she doesn’t know anything about real life. She has no friends, no place to live. She is alone, and It was really interesting to me as an actress playing her."

MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. We are one of the world’s fastest growing
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MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. We are one of the world’s fastest growing
media-tech companies with hubs around the world. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of
reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader.